News & Multimedia

IMS Introduces 'Know Your Zone' Driving Routes, Parking Plan

May 24, 2012 | By Tom Surber

Fans coming to the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 are encouraged to plan for heavy traffic and follow the KNOW YOUR ZONE driving routes and parking program recently established by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Fans should plan their routes ahead of time for an easier, more efficient drive to the track. The KNOW YOUR ZONE program is designed to help Speedway guests identify the best driving routes to parking lots located near their respective seating locations.

With the track opening at 5:33 a.m. Race Day and the race beginning at noon, Indiana State Police (ISP) Superintendent Paul Whitesell suggests fans arrive in Marion County no later than 8 a.m. to assure getting to IMS in time to experience all the traditional pre-race activities and the start of the race.

“All Roads Lead to Indy” driving routes have been created by the Indiana State Police and match KNOW YOUR ZONE colors at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) plans to open additional lanes on U.S. 136 and Crawfordsville Road just in time for Memorial Day weekend and the Indianapolis 500. An additional traffic lane opened in each direction on U.S. 136 and Crawfordsville Road at the Interstates 465 and 74 interchange on Thursday, May 24.

Eastbound U.S. 136 will have two lanes of through traffic and a designated left turn lane to northbound I-465 and westbound I-74. Westbound Crawsfordsville Road will have two lanes of through traffic and a designated left turn lane to southbound I-465.

IMS officials, INDOT and law enforcement officials want fans to be aware of new ramp configurations where Interstate 74 and US 136/Crawfordsville Road meet the I-465 loop. I-74 no longer ends at Crawfordsville Road, as the former cloverleaf exit has been redesigned since last year’s race to provide safer, higher speed ramps connecting I-74 with I-465. To view an illustration of the new interchange, please visit www.Accelerate465.in.gov.

INDOT encourages visitors to follow posted signs. On Race Day, INDOT’s Traffic Management Center will advise race fans for the safest and quickest route to the track via lighted dynamic message signs. Motorists who choose to exit I-465 or I-74 directly into Speedway should follow the signs to the new U.S. 136/Crawfordsville Road ramps, which are controlled by signalized intersections.

Drivers can learn the locations of work zones and highway restrictions by calling INDOT’s TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or viewing an online map at www.TrafficWise.IN.gov. ISP will offer updates on traffic and parking on Twitter and Facebook.

Fans also can avoid traffic and parking issues by using shuttle bus service provided by the Free Enterprise System and Star of Americas’ Park-N-Ride Shuttle. Online advance registration for bus service from downtown and the Indianapolis International Airport is available at: http://www.indy500parking.com.

No coolers larger than 14 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches can be brought into the facility on Miller Lite Carb Day or Race Day. These restrictions will also be observed in the Miller Lite Carb Day viewing area and the Snake Pit on Race Day.

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IMS Introduces 'Know Your Zone' Driving Routes, Parking Plan

May 24, 2012 | By Tom Surber
Fans coming to the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 are encouraged to plan for heavy traffic and follow the KNOW YOUR ZONE driving routes and parking program recently established by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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